Science / Projects

Read more about PEG

A quick introduction on the chemistry of polyethylene glycol(PEG)

 

Polyethylene glycol(PEG) is a long chain polymer made from ethylene oxide. The molecular weights range from 300 to 10,000,000. For instance PEG 3350 is the only ingredient in the over the counter laxative MiraLAX and PEG 2000 is what is used in the mRNA vaccines. 

PEG has many uses and even many names depending on the molecular weight. You will find lower molecular weight PEG in your eye drops and your cosmetics, PEG 1000 will be in hair care and skin care products, as we approach the larger molecules is when we get into pharmaceuticals, a process known as pegylation which surfaced in the 1970’s but really was not used in drugs until the early 1980’s. And then the larger molecules will be used in your agriculture chemicals, and many industrial applications. Lets dive in and dissect why PEG should not be used and how PEG contributes to human disease. 

 

MiraLAX – Quick intro about MiraLAX:

This is where my path down the PEG rabbit hole started. Our son was put on MiraLAX, otherwise known as PEG 3350 to treat constipation at the age of four(4) after about four(4) years of regular/consistent use he exhibited some health complications. Come on in and explore the science on how PEG alters the microbiome opening pandora’s box to disease.

 

mRNA vaccines – 

Just in 2021 there was an FDA warning on a couple of ultrasound contrasts where PEG was leading to cardiopulmonary issues and even death in several people. The head of FDA biologics, Dr. Peter Marks said they were looking into the safety of PEG in the vaccines. Here we will speak scientifically about antiPEG antibodies, the accelerated blood clearance(ABC) and complement activated related pseudo allergy(CARPA).

 

Agriculture chemicals – everyone knows of the issues with glyphosate, however surfactants like PEG are several times more toxic than glyphosate. Since the EPA is exempting the manufacturers from having to establish a tolerance on how much PEG is used in their chemicals, we are exposed to PEG and the metabolites. 

 

Cosmetics – the industry has been under scrutiny for years regarding the amount of 1,4 dioxane in their products. However, 1,4 dioxane is a byproduct of PEG and will never be seen on the label. Loreal discusses why they use PEG, however is it safe?

 

Personal Hygiene products – typically where our exposure to PEG begins. It’s now estimated that 72% of us have some level of antiPEG antibodies, many of which do not take a pharmaceutical.